About Us
Learn about our mission and the people behind Soccer for the Future.
Our Mission
Soccer for the Future is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that brings soccer and physical activity programs to children facing cancer and other serious illnesses. We go to where kids are, running sessions at healthcare hospitality houses so families never have to worry about transportation or cost. Every child gets to play, no matter their medical situation. All programming is free.
Our Story
Soccer for the Future was founded in 2017 with a simple idea: children going through cancer treatment and serious illness still deserve the chance to play. We started with a single clinic and have grown to serve over 300 children annually across six hospitality house sites in Maryland, DC, Virginia, Ohio, and North Carolina.
Our Play Date program brings weekly soccer and movement sessions to places like the Children's Inn at NIH and Ronald McDonald Houses. Families don't have to worry about getting there or paying for it. We believe joy is healing. Through soccer, kids make friends, get their confidence back, and feel like kids again, even in the middle of treatment.
Our Team
Hannah Penman
Founder & Executive Director
Hannah has coached youth soccer for years and played Division III collegiate soccer. She holds a U.S. Soccer F License and earned her B.S. in Sports and Recreation Management from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. She started Soccer for the Future because she believes every kid deserves the chance to play, regardless of what they're going through medically.
Board of Directors
Meghan Arbegast Smith
Board Member & Co-Chair
Meghan serves as Associate Director of Volunteer Services and Community Outreach at The Children's Inn at NIH, where she has spent over nine years building volunteer programs and community partnerships for families of children with serious illnesses. Previously, she worked in community relations and public relations for D.C. United. Meghan holds a B.S. in Communications and Spanish from Christopher Newport University, where she played NCAA women's soccer. She has been a dedicated volunteer, board member, and co-chair with Soccer for the Future since 2018.
Victoria Centers
Board Member
Victoria is a Vice President of Marketing Delivery for U.S. Wealth Management at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where she has been recognized with the Culture Hero leadership award. Her career spans event marketing, partnership management, and corporate sponsorships, including two years with D.C. United. She holds a degree in Psychology with a Sales Certificate focused in Sport Management from Ohio University. Victoria has served on the Soccer for the Future board since 2022 and is also a Big Sister/Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Louise Penman
Board Member
Louise is a Marketing Manager at Lace & Day, where she develops and implements strategic digital marketing plans. She brings over a decade of experience in content marketing, copywriting, and digital strategy, having worked across industries including telepsychiatry and web design. Louise holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Art History from the State University of New York at Fredonia, with additional study in Cosmetic and Fragrance Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Amanda Shaw
Board Member
Amanda is an Athletic Trainer at Pavilion Central School District, where she has worked with student athletes for over 10 years. She holds a Bachelor's in Athletic Training from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and a Master's in Sports Administration from Canisius College. She has also coached and coordinated youth sports programs. Amanda has been with Soccer for the Future since 2017 and lives in Attica, New York.
Join Our Mission
Help us bring soccer and play to more children and families who need it.
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